Complete Noobie :)

Hey there, I'm Jonelle and I'm from s/e WI and I'm a complete noobie to chickens Ive never had them, nor have I ever had any other "barnyard" animal (unless my small-size rabbitry counts -- I've got 11 of them now) My parents have wanted chickens for years, and my father and I are getting my mom a few for her birthday next week (early may), and I thought this would be a useful community to learn some things about them